The Boat

Severance is a 1986 Tartan 34-2.

It displaces 11,500 and has (just under) a 5' draft.

It is a racer\cruiser type of boat, with a tall mast and masthead rig.

Tartan builds a very good, strong boat and many Tartan yachts have made extended ocean voyages.

That being said, it is not a true blue water boat and wouldn't be my 1st choice for crossings, but it's mine, I know it inside and out and it is a fine and strong boat.

Given the age of the boat and the wisdom of experience and years, I've had the boat extensively refit.

Living in the St Pete area, which is a major boat building center, I've been fortunate to have access the the best talent imaginable.

Here are the people\companies involved:
Derek Dudinsky - JTR Enterprises (813 321 6321) - Custom Metal fabrication
Kevin Dunn - Offshore Yacht Services (727 441 5534)
Audie Harding - Custom Canvas and Interiors (727 418 2382)
Gregg Knighton & Team - Knighton Sailmakers (941 365 7245)
Micheal Serdynski & Team - MEE Electronics (727 459 5593)

Kevin did the general project management, was involved in the design of everything we had fabricated and did the installation.

He also, using the existing rudder to build a mold from, constructed an extremely strong new rudder (I've read too many stories involving broken rudders!).

He's also been the backbone of this effort, keeping me afloat in many ways and I can't imagine this trip occurring without his involvement. He doesn't know when something just can't be done...because he just does it!

Derek gave me a lot of advice, which I was smart enough to follow. We replaced all the chainplates, and the stem head fitting (just based on age). He did a number of custom projects (new stern seats, radar pole, backstay fitting, additional tankage, life raft mount, wind gen pole to name just a few).

He also built the rudder post, flattening and bending the lower part to allow it to extend further into the rudder...then attached a large plate with gussets to strengthen it all (see not above about rudders).

Bottom line...get to know a good custom metal fabricator and you will never go back!

Micheal Serdinsky and his team did and extensive rewire, determined all the right electronics for Severance and made it all work. Severance has a very well thought out battery and charging system (high output alternator, smart regulator, wind gen, solar panels) and is completely DC (including the air conditioner!).

We've put together an electrical system that is sophisticated, but simple and I'm very comfortable in my understanding of how it all works (and what to do if anything fails).

Audie has made the boat "liveable". His work is the finest you will find anywhere and he has the offshore sailing experience to know what you need and what works. Having a really good dodger and bimini has a big impact on fatigue and crew morale (not to mention the interior\exterior cushions).

Gregg Knighton, whom I met after limping into Isla Mujeres with no headsail, is...bar none, the best sail and rigging person you could ever meet. He's the guy you want to have come on your boat and just talk with you. Stuff works now, his product is top notch, his people are great. Sit down sometime with him and just talk over the realities of your boat and rig, you will be amazed at all the solutions that he will give you. I'm starting to understand why he knows everyone!

To sum up, the reality is to put together a boat for a trip like this is a team effort. Find and use professionals. I'm a DYI guy at heart, but there is a time a place for getting the right people involved.

Severance is now ready for the voyage!

Trip Itinerary

The basic motto is: "We have no plans and we are sticking to them"!

There are a few parameters I'm attempting to follow.

Severance should be leaving home (Treasure Island) on 4/19 to sail down the West coast and up the East (to St. Augustine).

From there, we will take part in the ARC Europe.

Hopefully, we will reach England in the 1st week of July, although our European destination will be decided when we are in the Azores (we may go to Spain from there instead).

England is the primary goal, however, and I'm expecting to spend the better part of the summer there.

After that, Severance will probably go to France, although the Netherlands is being kicked around as a destination.

At some point, we will head down the coast of Europe and enter the Med.

From that point on I'm hoping to get as far as Turkey and hope to find warm enough places to winter.

Departure from the Med will likely be in 02/09, with the Caribbean as the destination.

From there it will be back to Treasure Island in time to take part in the Regatta Del Sol El Sol (St Pete to Isla Mujeres) at the end of April.

In may the plan is to go down to Belize, but then return to Treasure Island prior to the official start of hurricane season in June.

My crew plans are very sketchy, and I expect to be sailing solo for most of the coastal cruising.

Diane (my wife) will be joining me for several weeks during the trip at various places.

Other friends have expressed interest, but I don't have any scheduled crew after the Atlantic cross.

So, that's the plan...I'll know exactly how it all worked out in a year or so!

Crewing Opportunities

Severance will have a number of openings for crew from July, 2008 - May, 2009.

The crew situation is very fluid and flexible as of the time of this posting.

Register to this site and leave a comment providing your interests and some details and I will get back with you.

Ideally, crew will have some sailing experience and be in a position to share costs.

I am especially interested in experienced blue water sailors for the trip from the Med to the Caribbean in 2/09.

I will return all inquiries when possible!